Manchester United put in a strong performance over long stretches against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday evening and deservedly won 4-2 (2-0). In the final phase, the “Red Devils” had to tremble briefly again, but ultimately achieved their third win in a row.
Matheus Cunha (24th minute), Casemiro (34th) and Bryan Mbeumo (61st) gave United a clear lead. Former United player Danny Welbeck (74′) and Charalampos Kostoulas (90’+2) made the game really exciting at the end, before Mbeumo put the lid on it with his second goal (90’+6).
Thanks to the renewed success, Manchester climbs to fourth place in the table, at least temporarily. Brighton coach Fabian Hürzeler saw an uninspired and flawed performance from his team at Old Trafford – Brighton is in midfield with three wins this season.
Cunha and Casemiro score, Sesko narrowly misses
The first scene of the game belonged to Brighton. Ex-United player Danny Welbeck started on the right and crossed into the middle, where Yakuba Minteh was unable to get a clean finish under pressure (7th). United then found their way into the game well and kept the guests completely at bay.
After careful preparation by Casemiro, Cunha hit the ball low into the far corner to give United the lead. Ten minutes later, Brighton misused the ball in the build-up game, Luke Shaw sent the ball to Casemiro, whose deflected long-range shot went into the goal to make it 2-0 – Manchester rewarded itself for a strong phase from the middle of the first half. Ex-Leipzig player Benjamin Sesko could have made it 3-0, but put his powerful shot next to the goal (44th).
Verbruggen keeps Brighton in the game
The hosts’ offense also appeared to be in a good mood in the second half: Bruno Fernandes completed a nice attack via Amad Diallo and Cunha from a good six meters, but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen reacted outstandingly and prevented the goal from being conceded.
United then took their foot off the accelerator a bit and let Brighton come forward. But chances remained rare for the blue-whites. A cross ball was extremely dangerous for United keeper Senne Lammens; the confident Belgian turned the ball around the post with a reflex.
Mbeumo decides the game for United
However, United remained more compelling, as Mbeumo finally scored the preliminary decision after winning the ball again in midfield. Sesko prepared well, Mbeumo delayed on the edge of the penalty area and shot powerfully with his left into the near corner. The game seemed decided, but a standard gave the guests hope again. Welbeck circled the ball high towards the goal, Lammens didn’t seem completely powerless when he hit the ball.
Convincing: Sesko (l.), Mbeumo and the United offensive
This was followed by the best phase for the guests, who once again believed in their chance thanks to the goal. Manchester, on the other hand, suddenly became erratic in its actions and had to survive one or two difficult situations. Kostoulas scored with a header to make it 2-3 and made the last few minutes really exciting – but Mbeumo put the finishing touches with his second goal.
After recent difficult weeks and months, the fans of the “Red Devils” can look to the future a little more optimistically – and coach Ruben Amorim has secured his job, which has been hotly debated, at least in public, for the time being.
League Cup midweek
Brighton continues in the “Carabao Cup” on Wednesday evening at Arsenal London (8.45 p.m.) – the competition in which Manchester already failed in the second round to fourth division club Grimsby. In the league, United play in Nottingham on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.).